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Tributes As Billionaire Captain Hosa Okunbo Is Buried In Benin (Photos)
The remains of Captain Idahosa Wells Okunbo, a.k.a Hosa Okunbo, chairman of Ocean Marine Security (OMS) Limited, have been buried in Benin City.
The late Benin billionaire was buried on Friday, at a private ceremony by the family.
The burial ceremonies, which began with nights of tributes on Tuesday and Wednesday and followed by a service of songs on Thursday, culminated in a funeral service that took place at Nigerian Airforce Base by Prestige Hotel on Airport Road on Friday, October 8, 2021.

The funeral service, which was characterised by eulogies, saw emotions largely muted.
Pastor Ituah Ighodalo offered the opening prayers while Pastor Goodheart Ekwueme preached the sermon at the funeral service, which was attended by prominent Nigerians.
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Nigeria’s First Family was represented by Aisha Buhari’s daughters, Halima and her husband and Zahra.
Governors Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), and Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu attended the funeral service.
Former Governors James Ibori (Delta), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo) Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe), Modu Ali-Sherrif (Borno) and Publisher of THISDAY/ Chairman of Arise TV, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, among many more others, were on hand to pay their last respects to Captain ‘Hosa.

There were delegations of chiefs from the Palace of the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II and the Palace of the Ogiame Atunwase III, the Olu of Warri (son-in-law to the late Capt. ‘Hosa).
The entire service was powerful from the beginning to the end. After the opening prayers by Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, BJ SAX led the audience in a session of praise and worship.
Pastor Ekwueme’s sermon centered on the mystery of life, for which many, he said had sought meaning unsuccessfully.
According to him: “Life is and largely remains a mystery of sorts. Many have sought for the meaning of life. Yet, the meaning of life has eluded many people in a shifting goal post.
“The search has been fruitless and an exercise in futility. Many people are existing and not living because they do not know the meaning of life.
“Solomon in all his majesty could not find the meaning of life until the end of his life when he declared that vanity upon vanity, all was vanity.”
He said that “no matter how powerful you are, you cannot take a pin out of this world.”
He said God taught him a wisdom when his father, former Vice-president Alex Ekwueme died and was brought into Abuja in a box aboard a British Airways flight, adding God said to him that “this is the way of all men.”
“Everyone has birthday and deathday,” pointing out that “anybody who is alive is indebted to God because life is a gift from God.”
“We must render account of our journeys in life to God.”
Pastor Ekwueme thanked God for the life of the late Captain ‘Hosa which he dedicated to God three years at his 60th birthday where he was privileged to deliver a birthday sermon.
He pointed out that the late business mogul reconciled with his Creator and related with Him every day throughout the period he was battling cancer in London.
Before Pastor Ekwueme’s sermon, Olori Atunwase III who gave an eulogy on behalf of the Okunbo family held the audience spellbound with her rendition.
She spoke about the intentional of Capt. ‘Hosa’s goodness, kindness and generosity.
She commended his life of service, saying that was the greatest virtue of her father: service to humanity and God.
She said everything he was, he challenged the children to be, adding “daddy’s love was a safe haven. He loved us all so genuinely, so intentionally. He kept tabs on us as we grew up. He was a great father.”
She stated that Capt. ‘Hosa was like a coat of many colours and those colours were represented by the children.
She promised that the children would strengthen his vision and legacies.
“We will uphold his essence. Our work is to keep his memory alive, to tell the world of the genuineness and uniqueness of his character.
“My dad lives on through the lives he touched. Whatever or however he impacted you, whether directly or indirectly, carry it on, emulate that. Truly, he never dies,” she said.
She said that her father thanked God for a second chance, even when he knew he had cancer.
Olori Atunwase III addressed the remains of her father in a white casket that was beautifully decorated with bouquets of flowers: “Daddy, you gave us a good name and solid foundation. You are a father like no other. We will keep your memory alive until we meet to part no more.”
Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu rendered a poetic eulogy that drew thunderous appaluse from the audience.
Kachikwu constructed a literary address by Captain ‘Hosa to the audience which, paraphrased, read in part: Godiya, my time has come. I feel your pain; I feel your anguish; I watch your tears; I sense the emptiness in your space; I stare into spaces all over … I miss you all, but God said my time has come.
I fought the needles, scans, consultations and chamber of fright, all through the hospital staff members, fear all over them until that morning that he appeared; he stood there; His hands outstretched, in a voice like a whisper, He said your time has come….”
Governor Obaseki who spoke on behalf of all government officials was full of praises for Captain ‘Hosa’s industry.
He described him as a breaker of glass ceilings, a philanthropist par excellence, and a business mogul of global reputation.
He said Captain ‘Hosa pushed himself to the limits to build his business empire.
He said he gave lavishly of his resources, adding he would be remembered for his undying love for our State.
He commiserated with the Okunbo family, associates and admirers of Capt. ‘Hosa. “Rest in peace Captain,” he declared.
In a vote of thanks shortly before the family took away his body for private interment, his eldest son, Osahon Okunbo, said his late father found it easy to forgive those who offended because of the virtues of love and mercy that God imbued him with.
Osahon said his siblings would emulate their father and called on his father’s friends, business partners, those in government to also emulate his virtue of love and mercy.
Osahon said his siblings would emulate their father and called on his father’s friends, business partners, those in government to also emulate his virtue of love and mercy.
Credit: The Conclave
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Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”
He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”
Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.
He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.
“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”
The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.
He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”
“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”
Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.
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Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency
The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.
In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.
Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.
“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote
Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.
The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.
‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.
President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded
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Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience
Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.
The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.
In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.
He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”
The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.
Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.
“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”
Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.
“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”
The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.
By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.
The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.
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